No. All major car manufacturers have approved the use of recycled motor oil that is properly certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Valvoline® NextGen™ recycled motor oil carries and exceeds all API certifications.

Is Valvoline® NextGen™ Recycled Oil just dirty oil that has been cleaned?

No. NextGen uses newer refining process just like crude oil refining. A multi-stage refining process removes contaminants and additives to create fresh oil that performs as good as new. Then special additives are blended to create motor oil with superior performance and protection characteristics compared to specifications. Valvoline has a rigorous quality control process to assure that NextGen is of the highest quality.

Why is NextGen only made from 50% recycled oil instead of 100% recycled oil?

Just like crude oil refining, re-refining of used oil creates base oils of different quality levels. And we select only those recycled base oils that meet our exacting quality standards. At this time, there is only enough of the highest-quality recycled base oils to make a 50% blend. We are continually working with oil re-refiners to generate more of the top-quality base oil, and we certainly hope to move the percentage of recycled base oils higher in the future.

Where will NextGen be available?

Click here to find a retailer or service location carrying NextGen. Since NextGen is new, it may not be everywhere yet. Please call ahead to make sure they have NextGen in stock.

What is the best way to return used oil for re-refining?

Take care to place used oil in a clean plastic container with a tight lid and never store used oil in a container that has held chemicals, food, or beverages. Oil should not be mixed with anything else, such as antifreeze, solvent, or paint. Don't forget that additional oil can be recovered by draining used oil filters. Thoroughly drained filters can be disposed of in household trash. You'll find that many automotive retailers and municipalities collect used motor oil for recycling. To find out more about motor oil recycling, visit Why Recycle Oil? Also, many of the places that sell NextGen accept used oil. Find one here.

How often do I need to change my oil when I use NextGen motor oil?

Valvoline recommends changing oil every 3,000 miles. Most consumers (more than 80% of drivers, according to a State of California study) drive under what is considered severe driving conditions (stop and go, short trips, towing, or very hot or very cold temperatures). So, changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles is the best way to ensure engine health.

If you have 125,000 miles or less, using Valvoline NextGen can give you an engine guarantee up to 225,000 miles. Registration required. Learn more

Is it safe to switch to NextGen if I have been using another motor oil?

Yes. NextGen delivers the performance you need and the protection you expect. It's reformulated to the highest standards, and backed by the Valvoline Engine Guarantee.

Why did Valvoline decide to make NextGen motor oil?

Valvoline is constantly exploring ways to continue to innovate and deliver greater value to our customers. The combination of improvements in re-refining technology and our proprietary formula has allowed us to create a product that delivers 100% Valvoline quality in a product made up of 50% recycled oil. We are extremely excited about bringing a product to market that is better for the environment and great for your engine.

Are there any disadvantages of using recycled oil versus virgin crude?

None at all. With today's re-refining processes, quality is not compromised, and performance is assured. The only disadvantage of using re-refined base stock oil is limited availability